Priming walls for wallpaper: why and how to do it

Priming the walls is one of the most crucial steps in getting ready to hang wallpaper. Although it may seem like an extra step, it is essential to making sure your wallpaper looks fantastic and endures for many years.

Wallpaper sticks to the wall more easily after priming because it produces a stable, smooth surface. Common problems like peeling, bubbling, or uneven textures can be avoided with this easy step.

Priming not only enhances the finished product but also facilitates and expedites the wallpapering process. You’ll save time and avoid headaches later on if you prepare properly.

Why is wall priming done?

Let’s examine the reasons behind the necessity of priming walls prior to applying wallpaper before making a decision. You can then determine if priming the walls prior to wallpapering is required in your particular situation.

You can ask an expert if you’re unsure about your ability to accurately determine what kind of work is needed in your particular situation. He’ll estimate the task, create a work plan, and finish it quickly.

Usually, the room itself will determine whether priming the walls before wallpapering is required. You can question why prime the walls before wallpapering if it’s just a utility room and hardly anyone uses it. However, this is wildly inaccurate. Since the wall is a component of the house’s frame, the fungus has the potential to spread throughout the whole structure. Thus:

• A primed wall becomes smooth and dry, the primer increases the reliability of the adhesive bond to the surface. A good primer guarantees that the bottom layer will remain intact and will not crack, in addition, it will not allow moisture to be absorbed into the walls.
• The primer applied to the wall allows it to "breathe", thereby creating a good microclimate and preventing the spread of fungus. Do not think that the wallpaper will stick well to the wall without a primer, this is a huge misconception.
• Priming the walls strengthens the outer part of the wall and penetrates inside. It simply fills the cracks and pores of the surface. It strengthens the bonding of surfaces and extends the service life of the wallpaper (see.Wallpapering walls in the right way). This is one of the main parameters why a primer is made under the wallpaper.

Preparation

We’ll now work out how to prime the walls correctly before applying the wallpaper. This requires its own preparation, just like any other work. The durability will be mostly determined by this. So let’s determine how to prime the walls underneath the wallpaper in the proper order:

• Priming the walls is carried out after all the initial stages of work, including removing nails and old plaster.
• The primer is applied after applying the putty, which has had time to dry.
• Primer for walls under wallpaper begins with the fact that the wall is moistened with a special impregnation. This is necessary in order to wash off the dirt and dust that remains after rough processing of the surface, because you can’t glue wallpaper to a dirty wall.
  Everyone knows that in the past, newspapers were first glued to the wall and then wallpaper was glued to them, but now primer has permanently replaced printed products.
• After the primer dries, the wall does not get dirty and becomes stronger than before. Thus, the wallpaper lies flat on the wall and holds firmly and for a very long time.
• If you have a wall that was previously covered with wallpaper, you need to remove it and wash off the glue. This is done with a metal spatula or scraper and water.

Note: You will need to score the wallpaper to improve its ability to absorb moisture if it is not coming off the wall or absorbing it well enough. These days, stores sell a unique liquid that rapidly removes wallpaper. After adding this liquid to a bucket of water, the wall is left moist for 30 minutes. Wet the wall once more after 30 minutes to effortlessly remove the previous wallpaper.

• When the wallpaper is removed, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the wall with warm water and clean the wall surface with a wide spatula from glue and whitewash.
• Mold often collects in the corners of rooms with high humidity, such as a kitchen or bathroom. This mold must be removed so that it does not appear on the newly repaired wall.
• Places where mold has settled must be treated with bleach. As a rule, 200 grams of lime per liter of water is required. It is necessary to take into account that when pasting over places where mold was, glue must be purchased with a fungicide content.
• After removing old wallpaper, glue and mold, it is necessary to carefully inspect the surface of the walls. Cracks and irregularities found must be filled. If your apartment is not warm enough, then it can be made warmer with a thin layer of foam. This method will not only make the apartment warmer, but also hide the defects of the walls.
  Before priming the ceiling, you need to get rid of the hook, holes and cracks properly by filling them. If the ceiling is made of plasterboard, gypsum or another porous surface, then it must be primed in any case.

Working with a primer

Before adhering the wallpaper, we now choose what primer to use on the walls. In retail, there are a lot of materials. Some people just use PVA glue for this. The same glue that will be used to glue the material itself is also used to prime the walls before adhering the wallpaper; it is just made more liquid for this purpose.

Thus, the choice of what to prime the walls before applying the wallpaper is yours. The primer’s application instructions should only be thoroughly read before proceeding; they may only apply to various surfaces. Even so, you apply it all entirely with your hands. Thus:

• It is better to dilute the primer in a bucket. Primers come in different varieties and before diluting them, you need to read the instructions on the packaging.
• You need to mix the mixture well so that there are no lumps left. You can use a drill with a mixer attachment to mix the solution, in this case you get a very good composition. It is difficult to achieve such a quality composition manually.
• The primer is applied with a wide brush. This is very similar to whitewashing the ceiling (see.Ceiling cladding: types of material). Spread an even layer of the composition on the wall, avoiding unevenness and untreated areas.
• After you primed the wall for the first time, you need to give it time to dry. Drying time is usually written on the packaging. Even if by your standards the wall surface looks perfect after the first primer, you still need a second layer of primer.
• A lot depends on the quality of the wall on which the primer is applied, which can be impregnated differently on the same wall. When re-priming, the quality will be excellent and there will be no differences. On a completely flat wall, you can work with a paint roller, it is much more convenient and smoother than working with a brush.

In order to create a smooth, even surface that facilitates better wallpaper adhesion and longer wallpaper life, walls must be primed before wallpapering. It keeps your wallpaper from absorbing unevenly, lowers the chance of peeling, and guarantees the best possible look. This post will walk you through the benefits of priming as well as the proper way to do it, which will make your wallpapering project go more smoothly.

A vital step in ensuring your wallpaper looks great and lasts longer is priming walls before applying wallpaper. It produces a surface that is even and smooth, making it easier for the wallpaper to stick to and hiding any flaws.

By priming your walls, you can also shield them from future damage and moisture, potentially saving you money on more expensive repairs. This easy prep work can have a significant impact on the durability and final look of your wallpapered walls.

Recall that the time and effort you invest in priming now will pay off later. A modest time and material investment can result in a space you’ll be happy with and a finish that looks more polished.

Video on the topic

Budget preparation of walls for wallpaper. Smooth white wall color for 200 rubles. DIY repair.